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Sophronia was in a quandary over the one, she’d outgrown much of her previous finery--what little there was of it She was finding herself not necessarilythe usefulness inherent in fitting in to a social event--particularly if there were prototypes on the loose Leaving Monique under the Plunmotts’ watch, she went to find her sisters

She located Petunia, her older sisters having not yet arrived

Petunia was in heaven If heaven were to be defined as a pink tulle ball gown resplendent with bows and frills, along with giggling bosoest sister

"Sophronia, you’re back?"

"Muht be"

Petunia looked her over critically "You don’t seem finished"

Sophronia produced one of her newly acquired curtsies "I assure you, I haveup, she said with no hint of mockery, "You look lovely, Petunia" In truth, her sister looked rather like a strawberry ue, but Sophronia was determined to apply her education as much as possible Petunia was merely a test subject

Petunia and her dear friends, all alike in ringlets and ribbons, tried not to be iain"

"Petunia, Mu May I borrow a dress?"

Petunia was not so hard-hearted a sister as all that "Of course you h You ht have to stuff your corset Noait a rown!"

Petunia rifled through her wardrobe, e with a blue dress, wide of skirt and flireat deal of white lace trim

"Thank you veryPetunia a little beht in her sister, until she was once again distracted by the excite only the barest hint of tint to her cheeks

Sophronia returned to the nursery Monique stewed in a corner, wearing an elegant gown of pale gold, and Di the relative merits of accessories to her uninterested brother

"Oh, what a beautiful gown," exclai fluff of skirts Her on for the evening was of a royal purple--a color entirely unsuitable to a girl of her age--not to reat swathe of pearls about her neck

Monique said, as if she could not help herself, "It’s last season!"

Sophronia nodded "I know, but it’s the best I could do Muot to order me one Truth be told, I don’t think she expected ine going to one’s first ball in a borrowed dress from last season!" Monique shook her head at the travesty of the very idea

Sophronia cli of its outdated status soated by the fact that it fit her beautifully Dimity buttoned up the back After due consideration, Sophronia decided Bumbersnoot would be more of a help than a hindrance and picked him up

"You can’t carry a ave Sophronia an idea She wrapped Buelike body in a velvet scarf and tied it with a lace tuck so only his little head, feet, and tick-tock tail were peeking out She wrapped each foot in lace and tied theth of lace to his neck and his tail, turning hi-shaped reticule with a brass head

"Oh, eously modish it’s practically Italian!" said Di Bumbersnoot over one shoulder and instructed him not to squirm, belch steam, or deposit any ash for the next three hours Bued his tail very slowly, as if he understood the gravity of the situation

The girls and Pillover, who had produced from somewhere a suit that actually fit, stuck close to Monique They ate a light meal in the front parlor, out of the way of preparations, and sat drinking tea while the sun set and the guests began to arrive No one was inclined to go anywhere until Monique did And Monique would not join any party until it ell under way Nothing orse than being made available too early at a ball! Finally, she stood, and with a rustle, so did Diood deal shorter than she, nevertheless offered his arallantly to Sophronia, who took it solenity of an undertaker Then came Monique de Pelouse, followed by Di to focus on Monique She was about to enter a ballroo fashion and other te sparkly bits

Pillover and Sophronia were not announced Monique was, and all eyes turned to her in interest as she glided in No one was disappointed--she looked a peach She quite outshone poor Petunia Gentlemen descended in pursuit of her dance card, and Petunia’s eyes filled with tears Dimity skirted in after, also unannounced, and joined her brother and Sophronia The three lurked about the fringes of the group oftheir nemesis

When Monique danced, they danced with one another They ell aware it was indecorous to dance with one’s brother--or one’s friend’s brother, for that ed her feet But Sophronia fell into her new training easily and found it no hardship to sacrifice dignity to the thrill of the hunt When Monique sipped punch, Sophronia sipped punch and ot distracted by jewelry Pillover found his way to the nibbles far too often Sophronia thought only of Monique and her ad men who tentatively approached her and Di way--all bright smiles and colors Sophronia’sschool with an air ofthe -shaped reticule, which soht of fashion next su with an unrepresentative chin, turned aithout much disappointment when it becairl than she ever would be on him Another, a dark-haired, pale-faced boy with a petulant expression, spent a good deal of ti to look as though he didn’t care that her attention was focused elsewhere

Sophronia did notice hi Monique firmly fixed in her peripheral vision "Dimity, I believe Pillover is correct My sister’s party has indeed been invaded by Pistons I’ve seen two so far"